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2012 Kia Sportage: engine stalls while driving

66 of the 392 complaints about the 2012 Kia Sportage describe engine stalls while driving.

owner complaints
66
of this car's complaints
17%
typical repair cost reported
$7,500
typical mileage
106,000
recalls
4
Is there a fix? There are 4 recalls and 66 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below

Engine stalls while driving by model year

What owners say

Filed Jun 24, 2025 · Engine · CA

there were no warning lamps/lights/messages prior to the failure. I have been begging Kia Car pros Glendale to repair my engine since May 27 2025 as it qualifies under the settlement. I have requested in writing a response but they continue to use stalling tactics only calling me to convey they need the first 13,000mile oil change now. I have pictures and video timestamped I have documents to prove no negligence on my part for repairs and oil changes. I am a disabled veteran who lives on a mountain in a fire prone area. I have a service dog. I am not trying to endange my life, my service dogs or my neighbors. Email dated 21 June 2025: , I want to reiterate the full scope of documentation and context we have already provided in support of this case. To date, we have submitted: Over a decade of detailed maintenance and service records, covering 2012 through April 2023, demonstrating consistent oil changes and routine and meticulous upkeep; Confirmation that the KSDS upgrade was installed by Kia Glendale on June 6, 2022, and was fully operational at the time of failure; Proof of an oil change on March 7, 2025, at 98,798 miles; Photographic and video documentation dated March 27, 2025, showing the vehicle at exactly 100,000 miles with no check engine lights, warning indicators, or abnormal engine noise; A clear timeline showing that, just five weeks later on May 6, 2025, the vehicle experienced a sudden catastrophic engine failure at approximately 101,000 miles—despite having had an oil change only weeks earlier. For your convenience, we have re-sent all supporting documentation in case any records were misplaced during what has now become a significantly drawn-out process. Importantly, the vehicle owner did not continue driving after any warning light appeared. They immediately pulled over and had the vehicle professionally towed, demonstrating responsible action at every turn.

Filed Dec 14, 2023 · Engine · NC

I was driving on the freeway when the vehicle wanted to stall and shut off. I was able to get it to the side of the highway and had it towed back home where my son checked the vehicle and said that there was no compression in the motor and to not drive it anymore until it is fixed.

Filed Dec 7, 2023 · Engine · 140,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sportage. The contact stated while driving an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to pull to the side of the road. The contact stated that he was able to restart the vehicle and continued driving; however, the failure reoccurred while driving. The vehicle was taken to a local Pep Boys, where it was diagnosed that the speed sensor had failed. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic, where the speed sensor was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The dealer determined that the contact qualified for a free engine replacement; however, the part was not available. The contact stated that the vehicle remained at the dealer for 6 months. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.

Filed Feb 8, 2023 · Electrical, Engine · 127,000 miles · PA

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sportage. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the check engine warning light and several unknown warning lights illuminated, and the vehicle started to stall. The contact depressed the brake pedal, stopped, and parked the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to restart. The contact shifted into neutral and pushed the vehicle to the side of the road. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to restart upon attempting to jumpstart vehicle with the assistance of a friend. The vehicle was towed to the Mazda dealer where it was purchased. The dealer diagnosed that the engine, the starter, the battery, and unknown parts needed to be replaced. The Kia dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 127,000.

Filed Dec 12, 2022 · Engine · 70,000 miles · OH

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sportage. The contact stated while driving approximately 70-75 MPH, the vehicle went into LIMP Mode and stalled. The contact was able to coast the vehicle off the road where she noticed a fuel odor. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to her residence and then towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that there was excessive wear on the bearings and seals caused by the engine consuming oil. The failure produced diagnostic trouble code: P0301 (Cylinder #1 Misfire). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was provided a case manager and informed that the failure was not related to a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

Filed Jul 28, 2022 · Engine · 200,000 miles · NM

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving 60-65 MPH, the engine made abnormal knocking sounds, and the vehicle stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact’s daughter was able to restart the vehicle and veer to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced; however, the dealer informed the contact that the vehicle could not be repaired under the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 19V101000 (Engine). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and confirmed the dealer information. The dealer informed the contact that he had to pay out-of-pocket for the engine replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.

Filed Jan 19, 2022 · Engine · 110,000 miles · CO

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sportage. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, there was a knocking sound coming from the engine compartment before the vehicle stalled. The contact pulled over and the vehicle was towed to a local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and the contact was assigned a case manager. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.

Filed Jun 28, 2021 · Engine · 85,000 miles · CO

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sportage. The contact stated while driving 30 mph, the contact heard a rattling sound coming from the vehicle. A few days later while driving, the vehicle loss motive power and stalled in the middle of the road. The contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic who inspected the vehicle and diagnosed the failure as an engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 85,000.

Filed Jun 26, 2021 · Engine · CO

Unknown. The car made a rattling noise. When the car was being taken to a mechanic for inspection the car stalled. The vehicle was taken by a tow truck to the mechanic. The mechanic stated after disecting the engine, it fell apart.

Filed Jan 2, 2021 · Engine · 105 miles · NJ

My car has been recalled in relation to an oil leak which can cause stalling, engine to seize or car fire. Have inquired to the dealer several times. Global auto mall in north plainfield to no avail.

Filed Dec 16, 2020 · Engine · 70,000 miles · RI

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 kia sportage. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated upon depression of the accelerator with an unknown warning light illuminated. The contact initially took the vehicle to flood ford of east greenwich (2545 s county trail, east greenwich, ri 02818) where they repaired the camshaft and other cylinders within the engine. Four years later, the contact stated that while his son was driving at highway speeds, he began to hear an abnormal ticking sound coming from the engine. The contact also stated that the check engine warning light illuminated intermittently on the instrument panel. The vehicle then began to stall as the contact's son pulled the vehicle off to the shoulder of the highway. Due to the failure, the contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic where they diagnosed the vehicle with engine failure. Upon investigation, the contact linked the failure to the federal safety agency campaign number: 17v224000 (engine and engine cooling) however, the VIN was included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not under recall. The contact was provided a case number. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.*bf

Filed Dec 7, 2020 · Electrical, Engine · 121,000 miles · AZ

Turned my car on and heard a weird ticking sound while it was idol. I decided to take it in to my mechanic. On the way to the mechanic, the sound started happening while accelerating. Once I reached 40 MPH, the car stopped accelerating and stalled. I had to use the momentum and turn left into dirt parking lot to pull over since there was no pull over lane on the right side. My passenger and back windows do not work unless driver pushes buttons next to them to roll windows down.

Service bulletins that may apply

Related recalls

EngineReported December 2, 2020 · 294,756 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Sorento, 2012-2015 Forte and Forte Koup, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, 2014-2015 Soul, and 2012 Sportage vehicles. An engine compartment fire can occur while driving.
Risk
An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.
Remedy
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine compartment for fuel and/or engine oil leaks, perform an engine test and make any repairs, including engine replacement, as necessary, free of charge. In addition, Kia dealers will update the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) software, free of charge. The recall began January 27, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1‑800‑333‑4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC200.

Recall number 20V750000 · Recall details

EngineReported February 15, 2019 · 32,296 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2012 Kia Sportage vehicles. The engine oil pan may leak and, if not addressed, the loss of oil may result in engine damage.
Risk
A damaged engine can increase the risk of a fire or it can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Kia has notified owners, and dealers will replace the oil pressure switch with an improved one, free of charge. In addition, dealers will inspect the oil pan for any oil leaks, replacing it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began July 3, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1‑800‑333‑4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC174.

Recall number 19V101000 · Recall details

EngineReported December 19, 2018 · 71,653 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Optima, 2012-2017 Sorento and 2011-2018 Sportage vehicles that previously received an engine replacement under recall number 17V‑224, warranty, or the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) Product Improvement Campaign. The high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, possibly causing a fuel leak.
Risk
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy
Kia has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 17, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1‑800‑333‑4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC172.

Recall number 18V907000 · Recall details

Engine and engine cooling: engineReported March 31, 2017 · 618,160 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Kia Motor Company (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Optima, 2012-2014 Sorento and 2011-2013 Sportage vehicles. Machining errors during the engine manufacturing process may cause premature bearing wear within the engine.
Risk
Bearing wear may result in the engine seizing, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine assembly, and replace the engine if necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 20, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1‑800‑333‑4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC147.

Recall number 17V224000 · Recall details

Questions about the 2012 Kia Sportage stalling

Is engine stalls while driving a common problem on the 2012 Kia Sportage?

66 of 392 owner complaints about the 2012 Kia Sportage (17%) mention engine stalls while driving. The model year with the most reports is 2013.

How much does it cost to fix engine stalls while driving on the 2012 Kia Sportage?

Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $7,500 (median of 7 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.

Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2012 Kia Sportage?

There are 4 recalls and 66 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.

Other symptoms on the 2012 Kia Sportage

Engine failure 149Knocking 105Check engine light 77Loss of power 41Won't start 31Fire or smoke 26Warning lights 8Jerking 7Oil consumption 6Grinding brakes 5

All model years of the Kia Sportage

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